Hi Girls
Just found out from PS that he may not be able to do a diep and will probably have to do a tram. (I have already had the mascectomy).
This makes me nervous… Please could anyone out there who has had the tram op let me know their experience, however bad…discomfort and recovery etc. I have got the alternative of having a tissue expander, but had favoured having my own tissue.
My op is scheduled for first wk in Dec.
Many thanks
Nikki x
Hi Nikki
Did they say why you can’t have a diep
Deb
xx
I have not got enough fat to do just a diep, so they need to use some muscle, to provide the bulk. making this a (free flap) tram. As it is I’ve been told they will still have to reduce my other boob at a later date.
This a replacement reconstruction as I lost my LD recon due to a recurrence.
Nikkix
Hi Nikki
I had tram flap recon three years ago. The results are great - very natural.
The op is a long one. Mine was 12 hours (although that included a reduction on the other breast too).
Immediately afterwards I felt terrible - couldn’t move much and very dopey. But after 24 hours I began to perk up. After 48 hours I was out of bed - walking around on day 3/4. I went home on day 7 - still very slow. My first outing was walking round the garden after a day or so. I built up the walking each day so that after a couple of weeks was doing a couple of miles a day. I started exercising after about two months (cross trainer). I went back to work after three months.
I would certainly recommend tram from my experience
Happy to answer any other questiosn
K x
I had a tram back in 1997 - everyone thinks it looks fab - just give yourself loads of time to recover and heal, else it will ‘unravel’!
X
S
Hi - I had a free tram flap recon with mastectomy and nipple graft just 3 weeks ago. My PS said he wouldn’t do a diep as they had a much higher chance of circulation failure. It has been a tough 3 weeks - I expected pain I suppose but that is not too bad. The worst thing is reliving the whole experience in the middle of the night and not getting any sleep. I am tearful at the drop of a hat which seems ridiculous as I have been given the best possible pathology report and no further treatment. My boob still feels like a melon in my bra but I am exercising frantically and have good movement. My tummy looks like I had a run in with a combine harvester but I am assured that will fade and apart from feeling tight is healing well. It’s going to be a slow recovery but patience is a new concept for me! Good luck with the op.
X
I had tram flap 13th Dec 07, op was long I was away from ward for exactly 12 hours however this inc recovery and finding veins, came round with epidural and drains so being bedridden wasn’t too bad, they got me out of bed 3 days and went home 5 days after the op, this was a little early but it was a sunday and easier for husband so I presuaded the dr and I timed getting a cup of tea from the corridor to perfection for him to witness how I could walk.
You do walk like an old lady at first as you cant straighten, but I was able to walk easily on my own into hospital for 1st check up on day 13. The cons and dr’s were surprised and impressed but it was xmas eve and I had sent my husband and kids to the supermarket as no way I was goind to have a trolley ramned into me. The next day I was able to play pool with my son (his main xmas pressie) however it does involve bending over, so perfect.
It did shock me how weak I was to start with i.e. couldn’t even cut veg, but after a 3/4 of weeks I was out walking every day and this helps build strength, didn’t feel safe to drive for 8 weeks and was back at work 9 weeks. Went back to a very high impact areobics class near enough 4 months, when the instructor adds sit ups at the end I do bum lifts instead, I just work around it but pretty much back to norm. Swimming makes me feel like I am having massive stretch, but went on holiday this year and was swimming every day and best of all I was back wearing bikinis again.
My scar looked angry to start with, but healed and flattened really quickly, trouble is my skin scars red I suppose pay back as never got one strecth mark during 2 pregancies. You will be encouraged to massage the recon and tummy, I cut open vit e capsules and really worked into the scar tissue, they worked a treat.
I was 39 when I had mine and was able to wear a lovely dress for my 40th this year, the results are very natural looking, I am going back soon for a bit of lippo as it is bigger than my other one and to have a nipple done.
Good luck, I 'm really pleased I had it done.
Debbie x
Thanks girls,
All your messages are so appreciated!
I can’t believe I am having so much trouble making the decision.
Sunflower…my PS said he would do the redction of the other boob at the same time…personally although that would be huge, I’d prefer to get it over with all at same time! Luckily, I’ve already had the mascectomy so the tearful bit is behind me…(I hope)!
I just keep wondering if I’m mad not to go for the less invasive tissue expander option…but that could go on for a year and I just have to have some closure: Since my recurrence I0 months ago I just keep getting ill all the time and am permanently thinking cancer!
Nikki x